A01 chaf6542 06 se fm indd

Node type

Description

Summary

 AND-  SPLIT Workflow splits into two or more parallel activities which all 

execute

OR-SPLIT

Workflow splits into multiple branches of which only one is 

followed

 AND-  JOIN

Multiple executing activities join into a single thread of control

OR-JOIN

An exclusive alternative activity joins into a single thread of 

execution

Iteration

Repetition of one or more workflow activities until a condition 

is met

Must follow No alternative paths exist

Table 11.4

Workflow dependencies at a node on a network diagram

EPC symbol

Description of EPC element

Business 

Event

An event occurs when there is a change in the status of a process. It 

occurs in response to completion of a function

Table 11.5

Elements of the  event-  driven process chain (EPC) model

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Part 3  Implementation

Figure 11.5

General model for the EPC process definition model

Process

path

Function

Information

object

(entity)

Business

object

Information

object

(entity)

Information object

Business

object

Key

Control flow

Business

event

Business

event

Business

event

Business event

System

organisation

unit

Organisation

unit

Organisation unit

Logical operation

is responsible

for

can be

assigned to

activates

generates

is

input

is

output

EPC symbol

Description of EPC element

Business 

Function

A function is an activity or task that is usually completed by a person in 

the organisational unit responsible for the function. Alternatively it can be 

completed automatically through the workflow system

xor

and

or

logical operations

Control flow logic between processes is denoted by joins/splits as follows:

xor – a single activity follows the completed process(es)

and – an  and-  split gives rise to multiple subsequent functions

or – an or-split gives a  multiple-  choice split

Control flow forming the process network used to link other elements

Information 

object

Data needed for completion of a function and acting as input to 

subsequent functions (workflow relevant data in the WfMC definition). 

Also known as entity

Organisational 

unit

The unit responsible for the execution of a function

Table 11.5

Continued

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Chapter 11  Analysis and design

to one another. This figure shows how business functions are triggered through transactions 

on  business objects  which also lead to a  business event .   Control fl ows  link the activities, events 

and logical operators. Entities or information objects are items such as sales orders or invoices.